A starry wisdom was commissioned by the Ghent Festival of Flanders under the initiative of Jelle Dierickx.
Wim Mertens performed the world premiere of A starry wisdom during two sold out concerts; a solo concert for piano and voice at the Sint-Baafs Cathedral in Gent 23.9.2011 and a concert with the Wim Mertens Ensemble (string quintet, piano, voice) at the Capitole in Gent 28.9.2011.